Foreign policy of the Masoud Pezeshkian administration

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The administration of Masoud Pezeshkian has shaped the foreign policy of Iran ranging from Pezeshkian's pre-election intentions to his condemnations of Israel while in office. Within his first 100 days, Pezeshkian's administration has made decisions with regard to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Israel–Hamas war, Israel–Hezbollah conflict, and the Operation True Promise II, among other geopolitical events. Pezeshkian's foreign policy is led by his Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi.

Contents

Background

Following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash while returning from Baku, a snap election was called in accordance with the constitution of Iran.[ citation needed ] During the election debates, Masoud Pezeshkian was a more moderate candidate that wanted rapprochement with the West and the removal of sanctions.[ citation needed ] He supported former President Hassan Rouhani's foreign policy in regards to the initial signing of the JCPOA (since revoked by then U.S. President Donald Trump) and expressed a desire to expand Iranian trade relations with the rest of the world. He also signaled an intent to resurrect the nuclear deal with the P5+1 countries. [1] Additionally, Pezeshkian mentioned former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini and current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's policy of "Neither East Nor West." [2] Specifically, he stated:

Our main problem in the country is this division. When a government is in power, FATF is opposed, but when the next government takes over, it supports it. If we want to grow in the world, the more connections we make, the better we can live. The skill of the ministry of foreign affairs or foreign policy should have flexibility and various alternatives for negotiations and trade. Do you know how much we are losing right now because of FATF and JCPOA? We are losing several thousand billion daily. Some people are profiting from sanctions. We will move forward in foreign policy based on the general policies (proposed by Leader of the Islamic Revolution) of dignity, wisdom, and expediency.

Pezeshkian was considered a moderate candidate for change [3] by the West, [4] [5] as well as an improvement in Iran–United States relations [6] and the broader West. [7]

Israel

On the day Pezeshkian was sworn in, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated. After a few weeks, Iran launched Operation True Promise II that was widely regarded as a major step in attacking Israel [8] and a demonstration of Iran's capacity to do so. [9] On 1 October, Israel attacked Iran for the first time. While Iran played down the strikes, [10] Pezeshkian [11] made statements indicating Iran that had the right to self-defense and leaving open the possibility of a counter strike.

Araghchi said that the U.S. was responsible [12] and called for a United Nations Security Council meeting to condemn Israel. [13] He also added that Iran had "received indications" of the attack hours before it happened. [14]

Foreign visits

Following his inauguration, Pezeshkian made his first foreign trip to neighboring Iraq in line with his initially stated goals of alleviating sanctions and taking a more moderate course than some of his more hardline predecessors. He also visited a monument to former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Soleimani who was killed in a U.S. attack. [15] Pezeshkian also became the first Iranian president to visit the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. [16] During the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian visited New York City to speak to fellow member states. [17] In early October, he also visited the Interrelation of Times and Civilisations—Basis of Peace and Development forum in Turkmenistan. It was also his first interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [18]

For the 16th BRICS summit from 22 to 24 October 2024, Pezeshkian visited Kazan, Russia, marking the very first Iran-attended summit [19] [20] since Iran became a full member of BRICS+. [21] [22] There, Pezeshkian sought other members attention in regards to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon involving Israel. [23] As an economic body, he also emphasized cohesion on economic-financial issues. [24] Additionally, Pezeshkian held bilateral meetings, including with the host, Russian President Vladimir Putin, [25] [26] who pledged a future bilateral pact. [27] He also further discussed closer relationships with Armenia. [28] [29]

Armenia

Iran is one of two states with accessible borders to Armenia; Pezeshkian declared a special level of relations with the northern neighbor. [30] Araghchi also reaffirmed Iran's continued support for Armenian "territorial integrity," [31] particularly in light of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and threats of building the potential Zangezur corridor [32] (following his predecessor's opening of a consulate in Syunik Province shortly thereafter). [33]

Analysis

The think tank Rasanah suggested that Pezeshkian's foreign policy initiatives include the prioritization of regional relations, including Arab League–Iran relations (especially Iran-Saudi Arabia relations), dialogue with the West, support for the Axis of Resistance to Israel, and relations with leading states of the Global South, such as Russia and China. [34]

Moon of Alabama suggested that Pezeshkian's foreign policy changed following Israel's assassination of both Haniyeh (as a guest for his inauguration), as well as the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. [35]

See also

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References

    1. ↑ "Iran's New Outreach to the West is Risky". 27 September 2024.
    2. ↑ "Jalili, Pezeshkian clash over foreign policy, cultural issues". July 2024.
    3. ↑ "Iranians Voted for Change. Will They Get It?". 9 July 2024.
    4. ↑ "What Iran's moderate new President Masoud Pezeshkian might try to change — and what he definitely won't - CBS News". CBS News . 9 July 2024.
    5. ↑ "Reformist defeats hard-liner in Iran's presidential runoff election". 6 July 2024.
    6. ↑ "Will Pezeshkian's Win Lead to a Thaw in U.S.-Iran Relations?". 12 July 2024.
    7. ↑ "Can Pezeshkian fix Iran's relations with the West?".
    8. ↑ "Israel vows to 'exact a price' after unprecedented Iranian attack while world leaders call for restraint". 14 April 2024.
    9. ↑ Doyle, Gerry (2 October 2024). "Iranian missile strike on Israel shows capability for greater scale, complexity". Reuters.
    10. ↑ Hafezi, Parisa; Rose, Emily; Tolba, Ahmed (27 October 2024). "Iran plays down Israel's strikes, says they caused 'limited damage'". Reuters .
    11. ↑ "Iran president says Tehran will respond 'appropriately' to Israel attack". 27 October 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
    12. ↑ "Iran accuses US of involvement in Israeli strike on its territory – Middle East Monitor". 27 October 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
    13. ↑ "Iran calls for UNSC meeting amid Israel airstrikes, backed by China, Russia". Business Standard. 28 October 2024.
    14. ↑ ""Received Indications" Before Israeli Attack: Iran's Foreign Minister".
    15. ↑ "Iran's President Pezeshkian heads to Iraq on first foreign trip".
    16. ↑ Menmy, Dana Taib (12 September 2024). "Pezeshkian becomes first Iranian president to visit Iraqi Kurdistan with stops at Erbil, Sulaimaniyah". The New Arab.
    17. ↑ "Iran's President to visit New York for UNGA meeting".
    18. ↑ "Russia's Putin, new Iranian President Pezeshkian hold first in person meeting in Turkmenistan".
    19. ↑ "De-dollarisation: More BRICS in the wall".
    20. ↑ "What's Driving a Bigger BRICS and What Does it Mean for the U.S.?".
    21. ↑ "BRICS summit opens in Russia's Kazan with Iran's president in attendance". 23 October 2024.
    22. ↑ "Iran's Pezeshkian arrives in Kazan for BRICS Summit". 22 October 2024.
    23. ↑ "Iran's Pezeshkian Urges BRICS Members to Help 'End the War' in Gaza, Lebanon".
    24. ↑ "Iranian president makes 5 proposals at BRICS summit in Russia". 23 October 2024.
    25. ↑ "Russian, Iranian leaders meet for first time at BRICS summit". The Times of Israel. 23 October 2024.
    26. ↑ "Putin Holds Talks with Iran's Pezeshkian at BRICS Summit".
    27. ↑ "Defiant Russia, China pledge closer ties with Iran at BRICS summit". 23 October 2024.
    28. ↑ ռ/կ, Ազատություն. "Closer Ties with Iran 'Still Priority for Armenia'". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան.
    29. ↑ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (24 October 2024). "Closer Ties with Iran 'Still Priority for Armenia'". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան.
    30. ↑ "New opportunities open in Armenia-Iran relations after Pezeshkian's election - Voskanyan". arka.am. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
    31. ↑ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (23 August 2024). "Iran's Policy on Armenia Unchanged, Says New FM". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան.
    32. ↑ "The issue of the "Zangezur Corridor" is back — can Iran provide an alternative?". 10 September 2024.
    33. ↑ Sahakian, Nane (21 October 2022). "Iran Opens Consulate in Strategic Armenian Region". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան.
    34. ↑ "Navigating Shifts: Change and Continuity in Iranian Foreign Policy Under Pezeshkian | International Institute for Iranian Studies". 5 August 2024.
    35. ↑ "Iran Attacked Israel Only After U.S. Rejected Its Moderate Stance". Moon of Alabama. 2 October 2024.
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